26 Best Places To Visit In Spiti Valley
Popular for spectacular murals, ancient monasteries, and several stupas, Spiti Valley is truly God’s special creation. Spiti literally means ‘The Middle Land’ which derives from its geographical location in between the Indian peninsular mass and the Tibetan plateau.
The people of Spiti follows Buddhist religion and has the oldest monasteries of the world Ki Monastery and Tabo Monastery, a favourite of Dalai Lama. Although, there are numerous of places in Spiti that are worth your time. However, here is the list of top 26 places to visit in Spiti valley that will sweep you off your feet.
26 Best Places To Visit In Spiti Valley
Tabo Monastery
Tabo village is situated 37 km from city center and for popular for Buddhist monasteries – Sherlang, Duang, Chamba, Chibbo, Domlang Gompas, regarded by many as only next to the Thelong Gompa in Tibet.
Nestled at right of Spiti river, Tabo Village has a monastery, named Tabo monastery that built in 10th Century houses more than 60 lamas. There are Large number of scriptures and pieces of art, wall paintings – ‘Tankhas’ and ‘Stucco’.
Ki Monastery
Ki monastery is the largest monastery in Spiti valley located on top of a conical hill at height of 4166 metre. The view of the whitewashed buildings of Ki monastery from surrounding hills is picturesque.
The distance of the monastery is 14 kms from Kaza on Kaza–Kibber road and also has a guest house where you can stay. The glimpses from the top of Ki Gompa are just breathtaking, especially the view of Rangrik village across the spiti river.
Kibber
Kibber is a quiant little village on the higher regions of Spiti Valley that is well known for Kibber Monastery and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Also known as Kyibar, it is a small, recluse village having only 80 houses with approximately 366 residents. It is also a perfect camping destination during summers.
Perched at an altitude of of 4270 metres, Kibber is known as the highest motorable village in the world. Amidst the Himalayas, this village attracts a large number of tourists every year for trekking and mountaineering and one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley.
Nako Lake
Nako lake is a hidden gem of nature that is situated in the Nako village of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. It is nestled on the slopes of the Reo Purgyil Mountain of the Srikhand range in the Himalayas of northern India.
Nako Lake has been a perfect place to visit in Spiti Valley that has been alluring its tourists with the beauty it resides. The view of this lake gets more magnifiy by the array of poplar and willow trees whose shadow falls in the waters adds to the charm of the lake. You can also spot a large flock of birds near the lake in the evening.
Kunzum Pass
Popular as the Gateway of Spiti , Kunzum Pass Located at a height of 4,590m, connects Spiti valley from Kullu and Lahaul. After crossing Rohtang Pass and driving about 20km, take a right turn from Gramphoo.
The scenes provided while passing by Kunzum pass are really enchanting. On the one side, there is the Spiti Valley, while on the other side are numerous C.B. (Chandra-Bhaga) range summits.
Nako Village
Nako village is located near by the Indo-Tibetan border at the height of about 3600 metre in the Himalayan range of Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh. Nako Village is the last spot on your way to the famous Nalling Mullah.
As Nako lies really close to the Tibetan border, you require to have an Inner Line permit to visit and stay in any part of Nako village. Due to the small extent of this spectacular remote village, all the major spots there can be explored on foot itself.
Tourists tend to reach this tranquil place by evening to spend a night here to move further to Kinnaur or Tabo Village, the next day.
Chandratal
Literally means “Moon Lake”, Chandratal Lake is one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley that gets its name from its crescent shape. Situated at a distance of 7-8 km from Kunzum Pass, the lake is a paradise for trekkers, photographers and adventure seekers.
Chinchum Ropeway
The Chinchum Ropeway is another perfect example that made you marvel at the human spirit. It is situated in Kaza which is base camp for many treks. There is also Asia’s highest located petrol pump near it.
Giu Mummy
Popular for unique installation of over 500–years-old mummy of a Buddhist Monk, Giu is a enchanting isolated village with no nearby villages. This place is no less than a wonder to witness how a human body has been take care for centuries without any sign of decay or use of chemicals.
The mummy is being preserved inside the glass in a room which is located on the outskirts of the village at a small hillock. The mummy seems so real –nails, hair and teeth that it gives an impression of a living being.
World’s Highest Post Office, Hikkim
If you want to enjoy offbeat places to visit in Spiti, then World’s Highest Post Office in the village of Hikkim must be in your itinerary. It is located at an elevation of 4440 metres and connected through roads to the other towns of Himachal Pradesh.
The post office gives a unique experience as travellers mail their letters to their loved ones from the highest post office on Earth.
Even in heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions, postmen have to undertake a 46 km daily journey along the mountain passes and the verdant meadows for delivering letters to Kaza.
Suraj Tal
Literally means “Sun Lake”, Suraj Tal Lake is one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley and first choice of hangouts among of nature lovers, enthusiastic trekkers and photographers.
Situated close to the Baralacha Pass, the best time to visit here during the months of May to October. While it is also holy pilgrimage site.
Pin Valley National Park
Pin Valley national park is situated in desert valley of Spiti in Lahaul and Spiti District. It is nestled at very high altitude and so vegetation is very scare in these locations and consists of only alpine and cedar trees.
Pin valley National is among beautiful places to visit in Spiti Valley that provides habitat to numerous types of flora and fauna.
You can witness a variety of wild animals such as woolly hare, Tibetan gazelle and snow leopard, among others. The weather conditions in Pin Valley National Park are generally cold and dry, and receives heavy snowfall in winters.
Tabo Caves
Well Known for having evidence of human habitation in the prehistoric times, Tabo Rock Art is a perfect place to visit for history lovers in Spiti Valley. There are paintings dating back to thousand years and having similarity to those of Ajanta Caves.
Tabo Caves was discovered in 996 CE and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. This place is a national treasure and a perfect sight for witness of the prehistoric era.
Tabo caves are symbol of human life, assuming that monks lived here and one of the oldest Buddhist enclaves in the Himalayas. There are different stories from the Buddhist scriptures and have a collection of thangkas (scroll paintings), manuscripts, well-preserved statues, frescos and extensive murals which cover almost every wall.
Sopona Lake
For the adventure seekers, nature lovers and trekkers, Sopona Lake is the one of the popular places to see in Spiti that formed with melting glaciers. It is a seasonal place to visit if you want to have the best experience which offers some of the most enchanting views of the Spiti valley and the adjacent Maniang Himalayan range.
One of the famous tourist activities at Sopona Lake is trekking to Manirang Pass that is situated at an altitude of 6593 metres. The difficulty level of the trek is moderate.
You can complete the trek around 3 hours and enjoy the panoramic views of Dhangkar Valley. A great way to enjoy the trek is to hire a guide from local village, Mane who charge around 800-1000 and give you an entertaining tour around the lake.
Dhankar Monastery
Nestled at around 3900 mtrs, Dhankar Monastery is seems to a mud brick fort situated overlooking confluence of Spiti and Pin river. The high-altitude trek of about an hour from Dhankar monastery will take you to the Dhankar lake. The Lake has not much water due to lack of glacial melting but offers spectacular views of Manerang pass.
Sakya Tangyud Monastery
Perched at an altitude of 4520 metres, Sakya Tangyud Monastery is one of the famous places to visit in Spiti that is situated in the Komic village of Spiti Valley.
It is well known for being one of the highest altitudes gompas in India and a centre for Buddhist learning that is surrounded by the breathtaking panoramic views. The monastery is one of the must-see places in Spiti Valley that boasts of features such as fortified features decorated with red ochre and mud walls.
The monastery is situated on the outskirts of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and one of the only two monasteries belonging to the Sakya sect which can be found in Spiti Valley.
Barchala Pass
Perched at 4,883 meters, Barchala Pass is situated in Lahaul valley that is 73 kms. away from Keylong. It’s literally means ‘Pass with cross roads on summit’ where roads from Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul join on the top of it.
There is no road from Spiti still now, only a path exists. Barchala pass is also a birthplace of Chandra, Bhaga and Yamuna rivers that flow to three different directions, through the Chandra, Bhaga and Lingti valleys.
Kaza
The capital of Lahaul and Spiti District, Kaza is located at the eroded flood plains of the Spiti River. Amidst the jagged mountains on either side, it is the most populated area of Spiti Valley.
Kaza comes across as a tranquil town, which moves at its own leisurely pace. It has a marketplace, medical facilities, rest houses and hotels, among other facilities that offers picturesque views of Great Himalayan ranges.
Kungri Monastery
Located in Pin Valley, Kungri monastery was established in the 14th century and popular for having a huge collection of silk paintings of a number of Buddhist deities, characteristic features like sacred Tibetan texts and huge statues reflecting the Tantric cult of the time gone by.
Kungri Gompa is second oldest Gompa is the Lahaul and Spiti Valley region and one of the best places to visit in Spiti. It belongs to the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism which is the oldest order of Tibetan Buddhism.
One of the main enchantments of Kungri Monastery is the traditional performance of ‘Devil Dance’ that happened in month of July every year and the sword dance which forms an important highlight of Nyingmapa tradition.
Kungri Monastery is a significant place for people such as tourism, pilgrimage and to seek knowledge about Buddhism.
Tashigang Village
Perched at an altitude of 4650 metres, Tashigang is a tiny beautiful hamlet where total of 6 families residing in it with a population of just 40. The village’s entrance is built with ancient chortens and one of the most unexplored yet fascinating places to visit in Spiti Valley.
Spend time in Tashigang village is like taking a step back in past where one can witness thatch roof houses, a small lake and villagers practising agriculture. It is a perfect escape for solitude seekers who keep seeking for places where the mobile network doesn’t exist.
Tashigang village is situated near the India China border and faces many climate wise obstacles in the form of chilling winds and heavy snowfall. But, for the six families, it is their only retreat despite all the hardness that locals have to face while staying here.
Komic
Situated about 20km from Kaza, this Komic village is located at 18,000ft above sea level. It is the best offbeat places to visit in Himachal Pradesh that is famous for the world’s highest village connected with a road.
Komic offers you pristine beauty and magnificent surroundings. One of the main enchantments here is the Komic Monastery that houses certain treasures which are open for public once in every 90 years. Here, unique items have showcased egg of a dragon, the horn of a unicorn, the upper tooth of a sheep, the ribcage of a giant “demon” and the tail of a prehistoric man.
Khoksar
Nestled at a height of 3,140 metres, Khoksar is a break and windswept place which is the first village and gateway to Lahaul. It is situated on the right bank of the river Chandra and 5 kms. from ‘Gramphoo’. During winter seasons, it is the coldest inhabited place in Lahaul.
Khoksar is dotted on the old trade route from Indian plains to the west Asia. During winter seasons,The river freezes and is covered with snow that make regular passage for human beings and also for mule traffic.
Langza Village
Situated at 16km northwards of Kaza, Langza Village is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh and is faous for its picturesque scenery, pre-historic buildings and ancient monasteries.
An enormous statue of Lord Buddha guards the Langza village, while a temple behind the statue is believed to be old more than 500 years. Although, this beautiful village also contains a large amount of fossils of plants and marine animals, that’s why regularly visited by historians and anthropologists.
Lhalung Monastery
Lhalung Monastery is one of the places to visit in Spiti Valley which is one of the earliest monasteries in the Spiti Valley. It is a complex consisting of 9 shrines, each of which is a hub of Buddhist teachings.
Lhalung Monastery was established by Rinchen Zangpo, believed to be a Buddhist “Mahaguru” – an extremely enlightened teacher that’s main attraction is the various gold leaf deities kept in its shrine.
Dhankar Lake
A hidden gem of Spiti Valley, Dhankar Lake is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. In local language, the word “Dhankar” menas a fort, and believed that Dhankar monastery near to the lake, was once a fort.
Also popular as Sar Kund Lake, Dhankar Lake is located on a cliff at a height of 4,270m. Reaching to this lake needs you to undergo a challenging trek. However, the panoramic views which amaze your eyes upon reaching there is worth all the effort.
Spiti River
Spiti River originates from Kunzum pass that is a well-known for river rafting. If you are adventurous guy, then this place must be in your itinerary. The river is filled mostly by glaciers and meets to Satluj in Kinnaur.
How to Reach Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley is an offbeat and unexplored place in India, hence is not properly connected to rest of India.The nearest airport to Spiti Valley is in Bhunter, near Kullu which is about 260 Km far away from here. From there, you can take cab, taxi or Bus to here.
The nearest railway station to Spiti Valley is Joginder Nagar Railway Station which is on narrow gauge line. However, Chandigarh is major railway station which is 500 kilometers away from the valley.
Traveling to Spiti by road is one of the most thrilling experience as well as convenient options for you traveling from nearby cities such Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and more. There are two routes via which you can reach Spiti Valley, one is via Shimla and another is via Manali. You can get entire information about How to Reach Spiti Valley from here.
FAQ
Spiti valley is famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Tabo monastery is one of the most prominent attractions in Spiti. The monasteries in Spiti are renowned for spectacular murals, ancient temples, and several stupas.
The best time to visit Spiti valley is between May to June and from October to November.
No permit is needed to visit Spiti Valley for an Indian National. The only permit an Indian National required can be – a vehicle permit to cross Rohtang Pass. If he/she plans to enter Spiti Valley from Manali by his/her own vehicle or self-driven rented vehicle.
